Has anyone ever gone to a Unitarian service? What is it like?

Question

I have become a little frustrated with organized religion lately. I am thinking about checking out a Unitarian service. Has anyone ever been to one? Or know anything about it in general?

Answer 1

unitarian churches respect all religious paths. yes, it is a good idea to check it out for yourself and do go more than one time. in most unitairan churches, they feature a different sect (path) on different weeks so as to give a total blend of all religions. if nothing else, you will have the oppertunity to meet "open minded" people who feel as you do.

Answer 2

I have been to well over 800 Unitarian Universalist services, figuring 40 a year for 20 years. First, a specific answer to your question, from

http://www.stanuu.org/newfaq.html

What goes on during the worship services?

We usually have:

An opening piece of music.

Introductions - We invite people to introduce themselves to the people around them. Then, if the visitor doesn't mind, members introduce visitors they have just met to the congregation.

A short reading.

Sharing - We invite people to light a candle and share their Joys and Sorrows with the congregation.

A hymn.

The morning offering.

A short parable for the children, after which they leave for their classes.

A sermon. (See the Services page for a list of topics.)

Another hymn.

Announcements.

Coffee and conversation circle. (Also discussed on the Services page.)

We may omit some things on some weeks. For instance, when we had a genetic researcher who spoke on the ethical implications of her work, we devoted the bulk of the morning to her discussion. Our minister is in the pulpit three Sundays a month; on the fourth we are lay-led.

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(The same web site has a link to some of our minieter's sermons and another to some of our guest sermons, if you are interested.)


Second, some warnings. As soon as anyone posts a Q about Unitarians here, someone calls us a cult and someone else says we don't believe in anything.


From the same page (FAQ):

Is Unitarian Universalism a cult?

No. Cults have three hallmarks. They are relatively new, they have a single, charismatic leader, and they share a single mindset. We have been around for 200 years. President John Adams and his son, President John Quincy Adams, were Unitarians. Our leader, the president of the UUA, changes every ten years. Sometimes we elect a person with charisma, sometimes we don't. As to our mindset, some of us believe in God, some don't. We have other differences. We are not a mainline protestant denomination, but we are far from being a cult.

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On to beliefs.

From

http://www.stanuu.org/beliefs.html

At one point <. . .> the membership application for the UUA read "No statement of creed or belief, including this one, shall be a condition for membership." As a result, we got the reputation of being "The church that doesn't believe in anything." We believe in a lot of things, but we are not unanimous about them, the way the Catholics are about the Apostolic Creed. On any given issue we may be split 50-50, 90-10, or 35-35-25-05.

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The Web Committee thought this paragraph was too colorful for publication, by a vote of 4:2, so it isn't there, but I think it makes a good point:

Some Baptists like lima beans, some don't. Some Presbyterians like liver and onions, some don't. Some Methodists like leg of lamb with rosemary cabernet sauce, some don't. Some Lutherans like sushi, some think of it as "bait". It would be foolish to say Christians don't like to eat. It is foolish to say we UU's don't believe in anything.

Very few of us believe in original sin, transsubstantiation or Holy Trinity. Almost all of us believe the theory of evolution is the best explanation we have for the abundance of species. Some of us believe there is a God, some don't.

Answer 3

Unitarians teach that Jesus was an extraordinarily good man only.
Learn more at this link
http://www.macgregorministries.org

Answer 4

I'm a sixth generation Universalist, now Unitarian Universalist. Unitarian Universalism is a non creedal, liberal religion which allows a broad range of religious expression. One of the best ways to learn about UU is by visiting the Unitarian Universalist Association web site. Here are the principles and purposes:

The Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote

* The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
* Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
* Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
* A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
* The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
* The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;
* Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:

* Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
* Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love;
* Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
* Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
* Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
* Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.

The Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association

The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.

The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member congregations and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, language, citizenship status, economic status, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.

Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any congregation unless such is used as a creedal test.

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Another and perhaps more personal way is to visit a local congregation. Each congregation has its own unique "flavor", so you may want to try more than one, if there happen to be two or more in your area. You can find the link to the congregation finder below.

Unitarian Universalism isn't for the faint of hear, you have to be ready to take responsibility for your own spiritual growth. I hope you will find what you need amoungst us.

Answer 5

I haven't been to one, only becuase the one that was near me is no longer there, but they do have a website you can check out. And it has a location finder.


http://www.uua.org/

Answer 6

Yep forget it!

Nice Buildings, Hippy preachers,

kind of a waste of time!

A bunch of people ALL FLOUNDERING TOGETHER!